Preston Randall's Friends

Gifts Received

Preston Randall's Page

Profile Information

Who's your favourite author?

Charles Dickens

Review of Plan B

Reviewed by Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite

Plan B by Preston Randall is a short story about inmates planning an escape and what happens along the way. Their plan involves a diversion using some of their cellmates as a distraction. Things seem to be going well until something gets in their way. It’s time for Plan B. As we see the story unfold through the eyes of not only the inmates but also a homeless man who witnesses what can only be described as bizarre, we begin to see that things aren’t as they seem. This little story has it all: suspense, intrigue, mystery, and humor. It is brilliantly written with an unexpected twist that will have your jaw dropping and your smile widening.

I absolutely loved Preston Randall’s Plan B. I loved it so much that I am going to read it over and over again just to see how Randall pulled off such amazing storytelling. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read it. When I got to the last couple pages and began figuring things out, I was practically falling out of my seat from the unexpected surprise. What this author did in 13 pages was pure genius. I was so completely entertained that I had to run to the other room and tell my husband what I just read. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a combination of suspense and humor. Even if you usually don’t, check this one out. Trust me. You won’t regret it. If you need me, I’ll be busy reading the rest of Preston Randall’s books.

Preston Randall's Blog

I recently received an annual New Year's letter from a good friend, and it got me thinking about what people would write if they didn't have such a good year, especially since our friends seem so positive about everything. Perhaps it would go something like this:

Dear Family & Friends:

Well, we can hardly believe 2014 is behind us - what a fabulous, busy year. First, you should know that Cindy got out of the hospital much earlier than anticipated. The doctor said he'd never seen such a bad case of tetanus and wasn't it lucky she was trying to lose a few pounds before our son's wedding in Cozumel. After all, there's only so many calories you can stuff in through a straw, what with the "lockjaw" and everything. But it just gets better. After extracting that 3" old rusty nail from Cindy's foot (I warned her about gardening barefoot, but you know Cindy!), the doctor said we could keep the nail as a reminder. So straight away we tacked it up on our "Wish Board" in the…

For those with a parent or significant other with Alzheimer's, the holiday season can be an especially difficult time. With family traditions come all the reminders of loss, and as much as one wants to include the person afflicted it can't be done once they reach a certain stage in the disease's progression. If you're in the midst of coping with this, either as a caregiver, spouse, son, daughter, or other relation, I'd like to offer my deepest thanks for the help you give and my sympathies for the suffering you must endure. And I'd like to remind everyone to think about someone you love and imagine not being able to share your love with them despite their being physically present. If you are currently in that situation, I'd like to offer a virtual hug and wish you all the best for future peace throughout the season and beyond.

Have you ever started writing a story and then made the mistake of reading something absolutely brilliant? This recently happened to me.

I more or less finished an outline of a shortish story which I was pretty happy with - even excited about, which is rare for me. There are lots of weird characters and crazy scenes, a good plot twist and an ending which should be quite satisfying. Once I started sketching things out, more and more characters and ideas popped into my head and sometimes I'd wake up with a jolt in the middle of the night and write on a scratch-pad on my night table; I tend to dream about things that relate to the story currently in my head and it's fun to insert them somewhere if a suitable spot is found.

Forum

I'm still working at the story-a-week thing, and keeping up with it so far. One thing I'm wondering is who I should show them to to get feedback. Some of these I want to put in the novel/collection…Continue

Okay, I know that there are about 3 instances where you'd regularly use italics in fiction: showing foreign/made-up goblidigoober words, "indicating mental thoughts" and putting stress on words being…Continue

Do you send everything you complete off for publication? What's your written/submitted ratio like? What do you consider a successful percentage? Or do you go for quality over quantity! (I mean…Continue

Blog Posts

I just completed, as near as I can tell, my first book: a collection stories disguised as a novel. I do currently have a working title that I was initially happy with, BUT it may now be too obscure or inapplicable.

The title as it is now is "The Psalterdemalion." This is a combination of two of my favorite words: Psalter, which is a small book of psalms, and Tatterdemalion, which is a man dressed in multicolored rags and tatters. My thinking was that the man character, a story thief,…

On the 1st August 2015 a special night had arrived for seventy-five year old Robert Harris and his seventy-two year old wife Barbara. Robert was nattily dressed in a blue suit and Barbara looked elegant in a long flowing red and black flowery dress. They were in the heart of the…

So I've got my stories together for my first collection, and am currently working on the connecting narrative. I haven't even thought yet how I'm gonna get this published. Gotta start thinking what I need to do.

Mark stood on a sea cliff top. A wave below roared in and sprayed out a ferocious impact. Its retreat left a glistening carpet of foamy shale. To his left, a slender figured girl appeared, dressed only in a skimpy black nightie. Her blonde hair fell over her face. Scarlet lips whispered to him,…